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PNP to maintain presence in disputed park amid Makati-Taguig standoff

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted">MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will maintain its presence at the Makati Park and Garden amid the standoff between the city governments of Makati and Taguig over its ownership.</span></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/3/taguig-temporarily-closes-makati-park-due-to-lack-of-permits-1109"></a><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/3/taguig-temporarily-closes-makati-park-due-to-lack-of-permits-1109">READ: </a></span><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/3/taguig-temporarily-closes-makati-park-due-to-lack-of-permits-1109">Taguig temporarily closes Makati Park due to lack of permits</a></div><div><span dir="ltr">In a press briefing on Monday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said police presence is aimed at ensuring peace and order, and the safety of the people in the area.<br/><br/>“Nakausap ko personally ang COP [chiefs of police] ng Makati at Taguig. As of yesterday, ‘yung traffic management office and public safety division ng Makati and Taguig are maintaining their presence in the area,” Fajardo told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.<br/><br/>“On the part of the PNP, we are also maintaining our presence in the area to ensure peace and order and safety ng mga kababayan natin,” she continued.<br/><br/>Fajardo said the PNP leaves it to the concerned local government units to discuss and resolve issues on the park’s ownership and management.<br/><br/>“Patuloy tayong nakikiusap sa personnel ng Makati at Taguig LGU na nandun sa area na sana maiwasan ang gulo,” she added.<br/><br/>But in case violence erupts over the standoff, Fajardo said the police will enforce necessary action.<br/><br/>“We are prepared to enforce the law if the need arises,” she said. “If there will be violations of any law at magkagulo, the PNP will enforce the necessary action.”<br/><br/>The Taguig LGU on Sunday said it temporarily closed the Makati Park and Garden due to lack of necessary permits.<br/><br/>In a statement, Taguig said the park is under its jurisdiction and that the closure falls under its authority “to regulate any business, trade or activity” within the city.<br/><br/>The Makati LGU, meanwhile, said it would “take all necessary steps to protect and preserve our property.”<br/><br/>Makati employees had been trapped inside the park as Taguig padlocked the park’s gate, it said.</span></div><p>Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos also inspected the disputed park and said he has reached out to both mayors of the 2 cities.</p><p>&quot;We want to make sure ang peace and order ay na maintain no... Ang importante yung peace and order yung mga tao ng Taguig, mga taga-Makati. Okay naman sila. But what is important ay itong impasse na ito ay matapos natin. I&#x27;m trying to reach both mayors, ika-clarify ko ano ba talaga issues dito nang sa gayon ay magawan ng solusyon ito,&quot; Abalos said. —<strong>With a report from Robert Mano, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4XTMEg4WOB8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>But in case violence erupts over the standoff, the PNP said the police will enforce necessary action.</p>

But in case violence erupts over the standoff, the PNP said the police will enforce necessary action.